Athletes' chatter ahead of WTS Hamburg

WTS Hamburg’s race number one Katie Zaferes assumed the World Series top spot with a hard-fought third place in Leeds. With Flora Duffy returning to the starting list, the American will need to summon the same spirit that saw her take the tape here in 2016:

“ For the individual race, Flora is always going to be hard to count against, but there’s been so many people on the podium this year and the British and American teams are so strong. Plus, you’ve always got to look out for the Germans. Whatever the race it’s never a good idea to write off any athlete. The Mixed Relay field is also incredibly competitive, there is no room for a weak link in there so we’re going to be giving it all we have got.”

Jonathan Brownlee will want to recover from the disappointment of having to pull out of WTS Leeds last month with another big display like the one that took him to the top of the podium six editions ago:

“I hope that it’s a good weekend for British Triathlon as it has been for English football. We always have a strong team, the women are really strong and I feel like im in good shape and ready to be competing here for the first time since 2014. I’m pleased to be back. My first event here was in 2006 as a junior, I won in 2013 and this is a great place to race, it’s a good course and it’s a great weekend of triathlon. I do miss having Alistair to race with, he’s a good man to drive the front bike pack but he also beats me so I’m glad he’s not here. I like coming to places where you feel like the event is part of the city, it’s short and fast and exciting.”

At 22, Germany’s Laura Lindemann is one of the youngest of the female athletes competing but, after her third place here last year, one that the crowd will be certainly be getting behind:

“I have only positive memories from Hamburg. It is always great fun racing here and my goal is to reach the top 10, but a podium finish like in 2017 would be great. In the Mixed Team Relay we want to finish better than last year, but you have to take into account that there are a lot of changes within the federation and we need the time and patience to develop.”

German Lasse Luhrs will be going in to his third WTS Hamburg race on Saturday, looking to improve on his best-placed finish of 31st two years ago:

“The level in Hamburg is unbelievable. My family and friends will come to watch and support me, so that is an extra motivation in addition to the always great atmosphere here. That and the television coverage adds a bit of pressure of course but I am sure we can handle that.”